Comments on: The covenant of grace, not works, between God and Adam http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/ There is no point on which men make greater mistakes than on the relation which exists between the law and the gospel. Some men put the law instead of the gospel; others put gospel instead of the law. A certain class maintains that the law and the gospel are mixed...These men understand not the truth and are false teachers (Charles Spurgeon) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:30:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Latest Links | http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/#comment-156 Latest Links | Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:58:18 +0000 http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-156 [...] The covenant of grace, not works, between God and Adam [...] [...] The covenant of grace, not works, between God and Adam [...]

]]> By: neilrobbie http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/#comment-27 neilrobbie Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:43:36 +0000 http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-27 Hi Wes, thanks for your patience with my lack of clarity. I have posted on your blog concerning the tree of life as an alternative sacrament rather than a reward. According to the alternative sacrament model, Adam was promised eternal life by both acting obediently (not eating first from the prohibted tree) and faith (eating by faith in the word of God - "eat from this tree and live") I agree that the fruit of the tree did not function ex opere operato but as a sign and seal of God's promise of eternal life to Adam should he eat it by faith in God's word. Hi Wes, thanks for your patience with my lack of clarity. I have posted on your blog concerning the tree of life as an alternative sacrament rather than a reward.

According to the alternative sacrament model, Adam was promised eternal life by both acting obediently (not eating first from the prohibted tree) and faith (eating by faith in the word of God – “eat from this tree and live”)

I agree that the fruit of the tree did not function ex opere operato but as a sign and seal of God’s promise of eternal life to Adam should he eat it by faith in God’s word.

]]> By: Wes White http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/#comment-25 Wes White Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:43:25 +0000 http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-25 I agree with you that the trees were sacramental. On the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it is clear that Adam already possessed moral knowledge. On the other hand, he would learn to know what is good by that tree through refaining from it (not eating from it). If he sinned against God, he would also existentially the meaning of evil & misery! As for the tree of life, I'm confused on your position. At some points, you say that it is a "promise," and at other points you say that he would get the promise later. I agree with Calvin that Adam did not yet possess eternal life, but I do believe that he was promised it on the condition of perfect obedience. As for the reason for the expulsion, I agree with Calvin. It was not that Adam would have automatically, ex opere operato, gained eternal life by eating the tree. It was the sacrament of eternal life, and thus what God was saying was that he was excluded from eternal life. Similarly, to exclude someone from baptism is to proclaim that they are excluded from eternal life and thus we might say, "They may not be baptized and gain eternal life" understood in the whole complex not in saying that baptism automatically gains for someone eternal life. I agree with you that the trees were sacramental. On the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, it is clear that Adam already possessed moral knowledge. On the other hand, he would learn to know what is good by that tree through refaining from it (not eating from it). If he sinned against God, he would also existentially the meaning of evil & misery!

As for the tree of life, I’m confused on your position. At some points, you say that it is a “promise,” and at other points you say that he would get the promise later. I agree with Calvin that Adam did not yet possess eternal life, but I do believe that he was promised it on the condition of perfect obedience.

As for the reason for the expulsion, I agree with Calvin. It was not that Adam would have automatically, ex opere operato, gained eternal life by eating the tree. It was the sacrament of eternal life, and thus what God was saying was that he was excluded from eternal life. Similarly, to exclude someone from baptism is to proclaim that they are excluded from eternal life and thus we might say, “They may not be baptized and gain eternal life” understood in the whole complex not in saying that baptism automatically gains for someone eternal life.

]]> By: Weekly Roundup « Blog of Dan http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/#comment-20 Weekly Roundup « Blog of Dan Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:52:03 +0000 http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-20 [...] Neil Robbie writes about the covenant between God and Adam HERE. [...] [...] Neil Robbie writes about the covenant between God and Adam HERE. [...]

]]> By: L http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/the-covenant-of-grace-between-god-and-adam/#comment-18 L Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:21:01 +0000 http://transforminggrace.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-18 I'd never really thought about what sort of 'beings'- whether Adam and Eve were immortal before. A most interesting, and helpful post. I’d never really thought about what sort of ‘beings’- whether Adam and Eve were immortal before.

A most interesting, and helpful post.

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